BROCKHOLES

Parish communion at St George's Church, Brockholes, on Sunday January 6 was celebrated by the Venerable Anne Dawtry, Archdeacon of Halifax, who spoke of the journey of the Wise Men to find Jesus and our own personal journeys. Jean Oldfield read the lesson and Roger Kenworthy was the server. The organist was Verena Wood.

Mr Terry Frost led morning worship at the Methodist Church on Sunday, January 6 when Mr Keith Garside played the organ. Mr Granville Dews and Mrs Jan Gaunt gave the Bible readings. Mrs Christine Williams welcomed people at the door and refreshments of coffee, tea and biscuits which were served after the service were provided by Mrs Pamela Ackroyd.

Parish communion at St George’s on Sunday was celebrated by the Rev Jenny Barnes. During the service, she baptised Amelia Rose Price, the daughter of Peter and Kelly. The Rev Jenny spoke of the meaning of names and also read poems which said that the child within grows up to be his or her own person. Dorothy Coldwell read the lesson. Rosalind Watt was the server and Verena Wood played the organ.

The AD Youth Group met on Thursday when the theme was the visit of thee Three Wise Men to Jesus. The young people made and decorated crowns and stars under the leadership of Sue Clay, Dorothy Coldwell. Kate Drake and Verena Wood.

Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Mr Brian Williams. Mr Noel Clarke played the organ. The Bible readings were given by Mr Graham Nicholson and Mrs Eileen Littlewood. Mrs Margaret Miller greeted the congregation at the door and Mrs Christine Williams provided and served refreshments after the service.

HEPWORTH

A service of thanksgiving to celebrate the life of Val Kilner, daughter of the late Raymond and Una Kilner, was held in Holy Trinity Church on Friday morning, January 4. Family and friends took part in the service which was conducted by the Rev Keith Griffin. At the end of the service, led by a family member, the congregation sang Edelweiss from The Sound Of Music, one of Val’s favourite songs – and there wasn’t a dry eye in church.

A Review of 2012 Quiz was held in the Sports and Social Club on Saturday evening, January 5. With questions set by Hannah Ainley, the event drew a large number of people. Supper was served by Ann Walker and Ken Mettrick. The winner of the quiz, Team 7UP, will set the questions for the next quiz night which will be on Saturday February 2 at 9pm.

Parish Eucharist for Epiphany was celebrated at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday morning, January 6. The service was conducted by the Rev Keith Griffin, the reader was Graham Latham and prayers were led by Stella Southam. The organist was Jane Robertson. The vicar reminded the congregation that Sunday School begins on Sunday.

The Rev Keith Griffin celebrated parish Eucharist on Sunday at Holy Trinity Church. The reader was Richard Southam. Prayers were led by Simon Cave and the organist was Jane Robertson. Sunday School was led by Chris Fletcher.

HOLMBRIDGE

The Friday evening prayers at St David's Church Holmbridge, on January 4 were led by Carolyn Burley.

A church Epiphany party was held on Saturday January 5 when a buffet supper was organised by Margaret Tupling followed by a Beetle Drive and entertainment organised by Ian Gold.

The Worship Together service at St David’s Church was conducted by the Rev Nick Heaton. Lessons were read by Ian Gold and the organist was Eddie Purcell.

The Rev Nick Heaton chaired a meeting of the parochial church council at St David's Church. He also led midweek communion when the lessons were read by Ian Gold.

The Monkey Business toddler group, the free lunch and the Over 60s Club were held during the week. Friday evening prayers were led by the Rev Geoff Bamford.

Parish Eucharist with creche and young people's group at St David's Church also included the Covenant Service. It was led by the Rev Geoff Bamford. Lessons were read by Sandy Wise and Marian Gill. Intercessions were led by Carolyn Burley and the organist was Jean Chadwick.

HOLMFIRTH

The Epiphany Service held at Holmfirth Methodist Church was led by the Rev Laura Hardy assisted by Margaret Heeley’s Worship Team. The subject was the journey of the Three Magi from the East. The Bible reading was of the well known passage from the gospel of Matthew, chapter 2 – Visitors From The East – read by Jean. The organist, pianist, and the choir led the congregation in the singing of a series of well known Epiphany carols. Closing prayers were offered by the Rev Laura Hardy.

HONLEY

The first Mothers’ Union meeting of the new year at St Mary’s Church, Honley, began with communion celebrated by the Rev Jenny Barnes. This was followed by a talk given by the Rev John Barnes in which he outlined the story of his life and ministry. The meeting concluded with playing of four items by Abba. Alison Dean chaired the meeting and proposed the vote of thanks.

The celebrant for family communion at St Mary’s Church on Sunday, January 6 was the Ven Anne Dawtry, Archdeacon of Halifax, whose address was on the theme of Difficult Journeys. Dean Henry Stapleton read the gospel and Andrew Dean read the lesson. Janet and Graham Wardman led intercessions. The server was Huw Griffiths and John Dean assisted with the chalice. Singing was led by the music group with Hazel Kemp as accompanist.

Secretary Leslie Chadwick was speaker at a meeting of the Probus Club. Introduced by chairman Alec Wallace, Mr Chadwick gave an informative account, illustrated by slides, of visits to Kuala Lumpur and Penang Island, in Malaysia, as part of his work at Bradford University. Stephen Craven proposed the vote of thanks.

Parish Eucharist at St Mary’s Church was led by Dean Henry Stapleton. Carol Hirst read the lesson and led intercessions. Pauline Adams was the server and Pat Green helped with the chalice. The organist was Vernon Briggs.

MELTHAM

President Barbara Sheard took the chair at the Meltham WI meeting on Tuesday January 8. The tea ladies were Carol Pickles and Linda Hirst. Speaker for the evening was Pat Osbourne on the life of artist LS Lowry. She revealed he led quite a lonely life and was dominated by his mother. She passed round photographs of his work to the members who enjoyed looking at some of his paintings. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ann Kaye. The raffle organised by Jean Howard was won by Sheila Brook

SCHOLES

On Epiphany Sunday, January 6, the Rev Tim Moore led the All Age Worship at Scholes Methodist Church. The Quarmby family were the door stewards and Barbara Horn was the organist. Christine Haigh read the passage from the Bible – The Visit Of The Magi – from Matthew chapter 2 verses 1-12, and the vicar continued with this theme. Coffee and biscuits were served after the service by Hilary and Roger Deakin and Rebecca Dunne.

UPPERTHONG

Holy communion on Thursday, January 3 at St John’s Church, Upperthong, was led by the Rev John Capstick. Lunch followed in the meeting room.

Early communion on Sunday January 6 was conducted by the Rev Di Ellerton, who also led the family service for Epiphany. Music was provided by the Drummond Family Quartet. Refreshments afterwards were served by Liz Stead.

The Tuesday morning prayer breakfast was held at the home of the Dawsons.

Midweek communion at St John's Church was conducted by the Rev John Capstick. Lunch followed in the meeting room.

Sunday’s Family communion at St John’s was led by the Rev Janet Craven, of Shepley, who was also the celebrant. The readers were Peter Cole and Tim Cock. Les Hopkins gave prayers and Philip Broadbent assisted with the chalice. The organist was Peter Biedukiewicz. Refreshments were served by Karen Beattie.

WILSHAW

On Christmas Day a service of Holy Communion was held at St Mary’s as the congregation celebrated the birth of Jesus. Rev Maureen Read welcomed everyone and wished everyone a happy and blessed Christmas. Liz Pearson read the lessons and told those present the Christmas story in broad Yorkshire accent. Rev Judy was celebrant, Kim Howe assisted at the altar and Peter Pearson and Maisy Taylor took the collection.

On Sunday, December 30 there was no service at St Mary’s as the congregation joined the rest of the parish of Christ the King at a united service held at St James’ Church, Meltham Mills. This was a wonderful way to draw the old year to a close as the congregations worshipped God together. On the first Sunday of the new year communion was celebrated. Rev Judy Kenworthy led the service, Liz Pearson was the organist, Louise Brook read the lessons and Margaret Trayte assisted with the Chalice.

Last Sunday Rev Maureen Read celebrated the Eucharist and spoke about the baptism of Jesus. Jackie France assisted at the altar. Hilary Livingstone read the lessons and Peter Pearson was sidesman.

WOOLDALE

Morning worship at Wooldale Methodist Church on Sunday, January 6 was conducted by the Rev Richard Thompson. Nigel Morris was the organist and refreshments were served afterwards.

Sunday morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Barbara Rochester. Sue Ogden was the pianist. The service was followed by refreshments.

The service at the Methodist Free Church on Sunday January 6 was led by Mrs Margaret Tinker, who took her theme from Epiphany, and read an article that she had obtained from the internet, explaining in more details about symbols, colours and dates that are all to do with Epiphany – the day when Christmas is officially over and traditionally the Christmas decorations are taken down. Her bible reading was taken from the book of Matthew also she read some quotes from a daily calendar for the congregation to think about throughout the week ahead. The organist was Mr Peter Coldwell.